Experience a Wild West adventure at the renowned White Stallion Ranch, a working ranch at the foot of the ruggedly beautiful Tucson Mountains. Take easy trail rides, hear the history of the ranch from owner Russell True, and lend a hand with grooming and feeding ranch animals. Cowboy songs around a bonfire complete this adventure to discover your inner cowboy or cowgirl.

Highlights

 Enjoy scenic trail rides on gentle horses, breakfast and lunch cookouts, a hayride, and a desert nature walk. Learn how to handle a lasso, communicate with horses, watch horse-roping and penning demonstrations, and see how a horse is shod. Spend evenings participating in country western dance lessons, stargazing at the stunning night sky, listening to a performance by a cowboy singer, and enjoying a "Wild West Show" presentation by a Western performer.

Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles; getting on and off of and riding a horse.

Date Specific Information

1-5-2014, 9-27-2015

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology  listening devices  on this date.

Coordinated by Road Scholar.

Tucson

Cactus forests, craggy mountains and rolling hills surround this temperate city, which lies in the borderlands of the U.S. and Mexico. The region reflects a blending of the two cultures, along with a history of Native American settlement. The city is dotted with museums, galleries and parks that celebrate this natural and historical diversity.

Accommodations
Comfortable rooms with Old West-style furniture, private baths and patios on working cattle ranch.

Meals and Lodgings

White Stallion Ranch

Tucson, AZ

5 nights

White Stallion Ranch

Type:

Other

Description:

White Stallion Ranch is a 3,000-acre working cattle ranch run by the True family since 1965. Most rooms have original Western furniture. The spa and fitness center bring many comforts to this authentic setting. Horseback riding, hiking, hayrides, cookouts, team cattle penning, rodeos, country line dancing, telescopic stargazing, and campfire sing-alongs allow you to experience the absolute best of the Old West.

Rooms are tastefully decorated in regional southwestern style with art and accents from Mexico. Generous floor plans offer sunny, comfortable rooms with plenty of closet space. All guest rooms have air conditioning and a charming patio. Views are of the mountains and cactus gardens. No televisions or telephones in rooms.

Travel Details

Tucson

To Airport

Service:

Per Person/One Way:

Varies by number of people transported (approximately $35 one way for one person)Prices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

45 minutes to 1 hour

Distance:

40 miles

Please let front desk at White Stallion Ranch know, several days in advance, when your plane departs from Tucson International Airport. The van's departure will be scheduled with plenty of time for you to get to the airport 1 1/2 to 2 hours prior to your flight time.

Tucson

From Airport

Service:

Per Person/One Way:

Varies by number of people transported (approximately $35 one way for one person)Prices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

45 minutes to 1 hour

Distance:

40 miles

Call White Stallion Ranch at least two weeks prior to program's start date to arrange for shuttle close to your arrival time at Tucson International Airport. If you find that your plane will be delayed, please call the Ranch at 520-297-0252, and give them your new arrival time.

Tucson

To Airport

Service:

Per Person/One Way:

Approximately $45 per person one wayPrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

1 hour

Distance:

40 miles

Call shuttle company well in advance of program's ending date and reserve shuttle for pick up at least 2 1/2 hours before your plane's departure time. Tell the company in advance (520-889-1000) that you'll be departing from White Stallion Ranch and going to Tucson International Airport, and they'll give you the current price per person one way.

Tucson

From Airport

Service:

Per Person/One Way:

Approximately $45 per person one wayPrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

1 hour

Distance:

40 miles

Call shuttle company well in advance of program's start date and reserve shuttle for pick up close to your plane's arrival time. Tell the company in advance (520-889-1000) that you'll be traveling to White Stallion Ranch, and they'll give you the current price per person one way.

Driving
Directions

Interstate 10

From Phoenix you will be going East on I-10 and from Tucson you will be going West on I-10. Exit from I-10 at Twin peaks road, Exit #244. From Phoenix, turn RIGHT on Twin Peaks road and from Tucson turn LEFT on Twin Peaks Road. Go 2 miles to 5th traffic light 'T' intersection at Silverbell and turn RIGHT. Almost immediately, bear LEFT up the hill. Travel 1/2 mile on Twin Peaks Road over the hill. Turn LEFT at bottom of hill onto White Stallion Ranch Road (dirt road). Watch for sign on right side of road (opposite the entrance). Go 300 yards and cross over cattle guard. Turn RIGHT. Follow dirt road 1 mile to Ranch Office Headquarters Building. Call Ranch office at 520-297-0252 for additional assistance. WORD OF CAUTION: Do NOT follow directions found in the on-line mapping program Map Quest - they are incorrect!

Equipment Requirements: You'll probably want to bring your camera, as you'll have some wonderful photo opportunities. A pair of binoculars (they don't need to be fancy!) will be helpful during the Star Party.

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

Orientation and welcome reception; introductions and program overview; country-western dance lessons(Sunday, January 5)

Note: Walking up to two blocks over packed dirt terrain between housing and dining hall/meeting room.

Arrive To:

Arrive at White Stallion Ranch anytime after 3:00 PM. Check-in with ranch and your group leader before 5:30 PM. Meet your fellow participants and program staff during a welcome reception and orientation.

Note: Walking a few blocks or up to a mile over the course of the day depending on your physical capabilities. Standing during behind-the-scenes ranch visit. Even those with physical impairments can mount a horse (thanks to mounting block) and enjoy a short trail ride.

Breakfast:

Breakfast in the ranch dining hall

Morning:

Russell True, owner of White Stallion Ranch, and other ranch employees will tell you about the ranch's history and how his family established it and how his children are preparing themselves to run it in the future. You'll also enjoy a guided "behind the scenes" ranch exploration; the scope of this facility will amaze you!

Then, view an instructional riding video in the movie theater.

Lunch:

Lunch in the dining hall

Afternoon:

After lunch, you'll embark on a scenic introductory trail ride.

Dinner:

Dinner in the dining hall

Evening:

This evening, enjoy a "Star Party" with a local astronomer. Don't forget to bring your binoculars!

Note: Walking a few blocks or up to a mile over the course of the day depending on your physical capabilities. Even those with physical impairments can mount a horse (thanks to mounting block) and enjoy a short trail ride, but vans are available to transport non-riders. Standing for an hour during roping clinic and animal care demo.

Breakfast:

Trail ride breakfast cookout

Morning:

Get on one of the delightful horses (mounting block available - and horses are gentle!) and take a guided trail ride - or, if you feel you simply cannot ride (and most people can easily do it), vans will transport you - to a breakfast cookout location. This is so much fun; the food tastes great in the fresh morning air and the scenery is spectacular. After breakfast, you'll ride back to the ranch for a roping clinic; you can participate, or just watch.

Lunch:

Lunch in dining hall at the ranch

Afternoon:

This afternoon, you'll have a demonstration and lecture on how the ranch animals are cared for. This will include grooming, feeding, shoeing, sheltering, and everything involved with keeping the horses, cows, donkeys, burros, and other critters healthy, happy and well-maintained. You'll have a chance to help groom some of the animals and to ask questions.

Note: Walking a few blocks or up to a mile over the course of the day depending on your physical capabilities. Even those with physical impairments can mount a horse (thanks to mounting block) and enjoy the scenic trail ride, but vans are available to transport non-riders. Standing during cookout (a few chairs will be provided). Walking over unpaved terrain during desert nature walk.

Breakfast:

Breakfast in the ranch dining hall

Morning:

This morning you'll have a scenic mountain trail ride

Lunch:

Get on board the flatbed trailer and journey off on a hay ride. Lunch will be cooked outdoors - yum! You'll be surrounded by saguaro, ocatillo and prickly pear cacti, stunning blue skies and remarkably beautiful mountains. Return to ranch after lunch.

Afternoon:

This afternoon, there will be a class and nature walk about the desert flora and fauna found on the Ranch, followed by a class on Southern Arizona history.

Note: Trail ride, art class, walking a few blocks from housing to dining hall/meeting room, standing during evening entertainment (a few chairs will be provided)

Breakfast:

Breakfast in the dining hall

Morning:

This morning, enjoy a talk and demonstration on natural horsemanship.

Lunch:

Lunch in the dining hall

Afternoon:

After lunch, you can practice your riding skills some more on a scenic trail ride, followed by an art class with Ute. You'll try your hand at simple art using water colors and ink - all materials are provided for you, and you'll have a nice souvenir to take home with you! Even if you've never drawn or painted, you can succeed in producing a little landscape drawing or painting that will bring you fond memories of the lovely scenery at White Stallion Ranch!

Dinner:

Dinner in the dining hall

Evening:

After dinner, you'll go outdoors to enjoy a western-style bonfire, complete with a talented cowboy singer, who will serenade you (and you can sing along, too, if you wish!). A brief program closing will complete your visit to White Stallion Ranch.

Note: Walking a few blocks from housing to dining hall

Depart from the ranch any time after breakfast. Check-out time is no later than 12:00 noon.

Breakfast:

This morning's breakfast will be the last meal included with the program.

Meals
Included:

Breakfast

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List

Early Tucson (Images of America)

Author: Anne I. Woosley and Arizona Historical Society

Line in the Sand: A History of the Western U.S.-Mexico Border

Author: Rachel C. St. John

True Tales and Amazing Legends of the Old West: From True West Magazine

Author: Editors of True West

Medicine in the Old West: A History, 1850-1900

Author: Jeremy Agnew

Cowboys & the Trappings of the Old West

Author: William Manns, Elizabeth Clair Flood & Charlotte Berney

Tucson: The Life and Times of an American City

Author: C. L. Sonnichsen

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

5 nights accommodations

14 meals:
5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners

Expert-led lectures: 8

Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.

Field trips: 6

Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.

Hands-on experiences: 8

Hands-on experiences

Learn by doing in these "hands-on" activities directed by an expert.

Performances: 2

Performances

A performance can range from a night at the opera to a visit from a local performer at your hotel.

Plus these special experiences...

Experience a working dude ranch surrounded by mountains and stunning landscapes and beautifully-kept grounds, you'll enjoy the Old West at its best!